“Maskne” is the not-so-affectionate name given to acne breakouts that show up on your skin after wearing a face mask. While this is a bigger problem for some people more than others, nearly all skin types can be affected by the dreaded maskne.

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prevent and treat maskne if you do struggle with this common skin concern. We spoke with Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center Aesthetician Cheryl Staurowsky to glean her professional tips and tricks for dealing with maskne.

1. Always wear a clean mask

As tempting as it may be to keep a face mask in your car or purse and reuse it every time you have to run into the store, this habit will only worsen acne breakouts and other skin problems associated with face masks.

Makeup, dirt, and oil can easily become trapped within the fibers of the mask – no matter the mask type. When you reuse the same mask, these particles and the bacteria that is now thriving on the mask, are transferred to your face. Yuck!

2. Wash your face as soon as you get home

Even if you are using a clean mask every time you put one on, you still need to wash your face with the proper cleanser for your skin type as soon as you get home. If you have to wear a face mask for long periods of time, you can try washing your face in the middle of your shift and putting a clean one on.

This will help to eliminate the sweat, dirt, and bacteria that has built-up under your mask, especially after hours of use.

3. Spot-treat new pimples

If you do notice new pimples popping up on your skin, you can spot-treat them with a Q-tip and a salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) solution. For more severe breakouts, use an AHA cleaning pad after cleansing your skin to help remove dirt and bacteria from your pores and speed up the cell renewal process.

4. Treat your skin to an acne-reducing facial

If maskne has left you with enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, and dark spots, consider treating yourself to a Hydrafacial. This popular in-office treatment is a customizable facial that exfoliates the skin and cleanses clogged, congested pores, leaving you with a smoother, clearer, and more radiant complexion.

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For more information about acne treatment and prevention, or to book an acne facial, please contact us online or call our Boca Raton & Fort Lauderdale office at 561-486-9339.